In an attempt to make life just a little harder for tabloid publications and scandal sheets, the legislature has enacted a law that makes it a misdemeanor crime for a peace officer, court employee, or attorney employed by a public agency, to “[d]isclose[] for financial gain, information obtained in the course of a criminal investigation, the disclosure of which is prohibited by law” or who “[s]olicits, for financial gain, the exchange of information obtained in the course of a criminal investigation, the disclosure of which is prohibited by law.”

Any person who violates this new law is guilty of a misdemeanor crime and is subject to a fine of not more than $1,000.00. In addition to any fine imposed, any person convicted of violating this law shall forfeit any monetary gain to the State of California. (Pen. Code, § 146g.)